Aquarium Fieldtrip

Darin's preschool had a grant and they were able to take all the kids and some family members to the coast on a field trip to the Aquarium. Darin and Tagg were so excited for this trip.

On the bus waiting to depart. They were super excited to ride the bus for the trip, especially Tagg.

We got there a little late and didn't have a whole lot of time to explore before we had to leave again. So off we went. Our good friends Michelle and her daughter Maya went with us, they are our neighbors and Darin and Maya are in the same class together.

This is a sea otter swimming around and showing off.

Darin couldn't wait to enter the tunnels, he heard about the shark tunnel. Here are some pics of those.

Maya and Darin checking out the glass on the floor of the tunnel.

Sharks!

Darin looking at the sharks.

Tagg loved looking all around and seeing so many fish and sharks.

After the tunnels we let the kids play for a little bit at the play area. I love this pic of the three of them, so cute.

I don't know how Darin climbed up there but thought it was funny.

Our highlight was going to see the octopus. We got there and there were some people crowded around trying to see it. They left and we tried showing the kids that the octopus was way back in his crack and probably wouldn't come out. It was just Darin, Maya, and Tagg looking and then he started to move and decided to come all the way out! Super cool!

Darin couldn't stop talking about it, it was really cool to see it.

We then went to some touch pools and Darin loved it.

Here were some jellyfish but a little hard to see.

A huge crab.

We then met up with the others, had lunch, the kids played some games with a parachute in the parking lot and then we boarded the bus and headed back. Darin drew pictures the whole way home and Tagg crashed on my lap. It was really fun to go with just the little guys and they had a blast!

Soccer Mania 2011

Once again it was soccer season, although they missed a lot this season because of the rain. We use the school district fields so they are particular about playing on wet fields. So mix that with Oregon and you don't play a whole lot. The boys got their fill though and did well.

Luke waiting for a throw in. He was excited to play this season and had no problems with his leg.

Luke heading in for a kick. He had a lot of energy but still learning the basics.

Rees is #6 and is heading in to cut off that red player. He on the other hand has great perception of where to be, but not a lot of energy. He usually plays defense and loves to throw is weight around.

These pics are a little out of order but this is what the other monkeys would do while we watched games. Roll around and wrestle.

Luke heading in for some action.

Luke kicking the ball.

Rees getting into position.

This was my favorite pic. That latin kid in red was good and Rees ran right in and had no problems throwing his weight around and giving this kid a run for his money. The boys both did well and some of Rees' games were intense since they are a little more into positions and how to play. They both move up next year and Darin will join the crew! Yeah we will be at the fields all day long!

Franklin Fine Arts Night

The boys had a fine arts night at their school last month. It's where they get to perform all their songs they have been learning and present all their artwork for the year that they have worked on in art class. (warning these pictures stink).

Luke & Rees right before we left. They threw a fit that I made them dress nice, heaven forbid, and then later that week Luke was wearing button up shirts to school, he liked it. :)

Tagg insisted on taking his pic. And this is to document how cute he is because the rest of the night he was a total nightmare, screaming, crying, I wanted to beat him.

They had the younger kids perform first so the parents could swap out, too bad we had to stay the whole time for the older kids too, it was long. Here is Luke waiting for things to start.

Luke's class singing - he's on the far right.

Rees waiting for his turn. My zoom was working from further distances as I slowly made my way further and further back in the gym due to a crying 2yr. old.

Rees' class singing one of their songs.

Rees on the end playing his recorder. Totally remember those days. They did a pretty good job although I was have inside half outside with Tagg screaming. The boys did a good job.

Mothers Day 2011

Mother's Day started bright and early with early church. Jared set his alarm to get up and make me breakfast in bed until he realized what time I really get up to get ready for church...I was already up and showering. :) The boys made me a quick breakfast and then we continued to get ready. Right before leaving a newlywed guy in our neighborhood in the ward showed up and asked if he could use our printer to print off his talk. Jared helped him as I continued getting the boys ready and out the door and a little embarassed that our house was such a mess because I dumped all the Bday party stuff the night before and was too tired to take care of it.

This sweet guy opened his talk telling the story of running out of printer ink then after failed attempts finding ink he landed at our house. He got emotional and choked up and said that he got the priviledge of seeing Sister Stenson in action, which I don't know what exactly I was doing, calming a 2 year old and trying to find my 5 yr. olds glasses. Anyways this story probably means nothing to you but it was a highlight of my mother's day and it was sweet of him to say those kind words over the pulpit and to realize that others are watching. He even later made brownies and brought them by.

After church I was banished to my room where I read a little and took a nap. Then I woke up to all my boys dressed the same and welcoming me to the "Ma Spa." They worked hard to clean up the family room and turn it into a spa for me. They had soft music, boys put on a play while Jared gave me a pedicure and he even painted my toe nails! Rees & Luke where stationed at my head combing and doing my hair. Darin was in charge of feeding me strawberries, dark chocolate, water and handing out my cards and notes. It was really sweet and I loved it!

The "workers" at the end of the spa with me and my love notes. Notice the sign that Luke made that were all over the family room.

All the workers in their uniforms. (Tagg was taking a nap.)

Then they all made me dinner and we feasted and then later went on a walk.

This awkward shot is to prove that yes I am pregnant. Jared was sitting on the couch so the angle is not attractive, but it's the only maternity pic for now. I feel extremely blessed to be a mother and have the wonderful boys I do and a wonderful husband. Happy late Mother's Day to all you wonderful moms out there that I look up to!

Darin's Knight BDay Party Bash

I told Darin he could have a Bday party this year and he requested a Knight Bday party. I got some great ideas in my head about making them all costumes and shields and swords and thought they would love it. Then I realized I was probably a little ambitious but it was fun and the boys had a blast.

The boys made crests the night before for decorations.

The knight tunics I made all the kids.

Darin wearing his before the festivities began.

Bless my husbands heart, I convinced him to be the king and made him a tunic out of my scraps. He was a good sport. I was the queen but never got pic.

Once all the kids came, they picked out their tunic and then Jared knighted them with his real sword, which they thought was cool. Once knighted I gave them their swords and shields.

Here they all are with their gear. Notice the cute little girl that Darin requested to come and be the princess. Too cute.

Ready for their quest. We had them jousting with ringed paper plates attached to chairs, storming the castle and even slaying a dragon.

The highlight I thought was our willing dragon. I made this quick outfit in 10 min. out of scraps I had. Rees was the dragon that chased the kids around and if he touched them they had to freeze. The kids goal was to get his magical scale on his belly. Rees was such a good sport. Jared got it on film. Luke was dressed up as the knight guard and reinforced the rules, so up his ally.

They also stormed the castle that consisted of throwing bean bag "rocks" at the castle which was a stack of boxes. They had to knock them all down. Boys and throwing things just go hand in hand right?

Darin opening his presents.

Darin and all his loot. They had a good time and it was fun to do. We later had M&M brownies and ice cream. It was a long day after soccer games and stuff but we all had fun.